Introducing the Community Carers and Responders Network.

The Community Carers & Responders (CCRs) Network

The CCR network supports greater crisis prevention, preparedness, response and recovery at the community level. It does so by setting up a network of volunteer CCRs, who form a trained and connected network of leaders dedicated to community cohesion and resilience.

CCRs receive 5 days of free training, which include self-care, disaster resilience, community building, emergency communications as well as food, water, and energy security, but also complete a day of first aid and a day of psychological first aid. Upon graduation, participants receive a CCR cap, t-shirt and solid first-aid kit, and are then mentored to lead a project that builds the resilience of their own community. Finally, they are regularly invited to additional workshops, community events, and field visits to deepen their knowledge but also connections with each other.

As a Community Carer and Responder, you will be supported with:

● Dedicated training in disaster resilience and community building.

● Training in first aid & psychological first aid.

● Mentoring to successfully implement a project that builds the resilience of your community.

● Access to disaster agencies, community organisations and local council (CCRs as a “community conduit”).

● Ideas, inspiration and social connection through a local CCR network.

● Continuous opportunities to learn and connect with like-minded local residents, including through private field visits, community events and webinars.

PROJECT BENEFITS: Improving our disaster resilience.

● Increased preparedness for future disasters and crises.

● Increased capacity for on-the-ground care in times of disaster and crisis.

● Better connected local communities, who are informed and prepared for disasters, leading to improved resilience, well-being and confidence.

● Improved coordination and info-sharing with local councils, emergency agencies & community organisations.

● Role-modelling the value of our community in improving disaster resilience in your region.

If you’ve ever wanted to be a volunteer, the Community Carers and Responders might be where you can lend a hand.

Check us out on our social media accounts below and our Frequently Asked Questions:

The Mary River Catchment CCRs

Applications are now open for the Mary River Catchment CCR training, August to November 2024.

The following dates and locations are being offered. In your application you will need to select a date/location for each day of training. It’s advisable to attend all 3 days in the same location if possible as this builds connections in the group, however, if it’s not possible due to scheduling issues, please select the locations/dates that suit you best for each training day.

Gympie

Day 1 Fri 16 Aug 2024

Day 2 Sat 7 Sept 2024

Day 3 Fri 4 Oct 2024

Please note we recently changed the dates for the Pomona training. Below are the new dates.

Pomona

Day 1 Fri 6 Sep 2024

Day 2 Sat 5 Oct 2024

Day 3 Sat 12 Oct 2024

Maryborough

Day 1 Fri 13 Sept 2024

Day 2 Fri 11 Oct 2024

Day 3 Sat 9 Nov 2024

The Northern Rivers CCRs

We created the Northern Rivers Community Carers and Responders (CCR) network in 2021 and have taught everything from disaster preparedness, communications, and food security, to community organising, psychological first aid and self-care.

The CCR project was conceived to enhance community resilience against a range of disruptive events, encompassing both natural hazards and socio-economic crises. We did so by training, equipping, and supporting community leaders across 7 LGAs of the Northern Rivers of NSW to become a network of 300+ volunteer CCRs.

At the end of 2023 we counted in our network 274 trained individuals, 187 first aiders, and 141 individuals proficient in Psychological First Aid. Together, we've embarked on a transformative journey, reorienting our lives in small and big ways and creating spaces that are not only physically secure but emotionally nurturing.

Our programs focused on ensuring our food, water, energy and communication systems are being strengthened at the grassroots level, and that our communities have plans, connections and resources in place for addressing their needs both in times of peace and during emergencies. It's very important to us that this is done well, so we place a great amount of focus on fostering ethical resilience, emotional intelligence, effective communication and leadership skills.

Tangible outcomes of the Northern Rivers CCR project include the creation of risk reduction plans, the formation of neighbourhood resilience groups, the organisation of many community-building events and food security initiatives, the setting-up of emergency radio communications, and more. One of the greatest benefits of the CCR program has been enhancing networks and connecting community leaders across the Northern Rivers. The CCR network also enabled local solutions to disaster preparedness and recovery, established well-being initiatives, and addressed the needs of vulnerable groups in disaster situations.

The project has catalyzed transformative recovery by imparting knowledge, confidence, and skills to participants, leading to a profound personal shift.